Mount Sinai St. Catherine Monastery History

St. Catherine’s Monastery was constructed sited by the 6th century AD by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I’s era. Its building was motivated by the existence of the Burning Bush which is described in the bible and Quran as the shrub that Moses encountered God. This Monastery is named after Saint Catherine of Alexandria who was an early Christian martyr believed to have lived in the times of persecution around the year 305 AD.

The site of the monastery was also strategic because of the presence of Mount Sinai, an elevation considered holy by the Jews as the site where Moses received the fourteen plates from G-d. Throughout the years, St. Catherine’s Monastery was also a place of pilgrimage for Christians and is still active as a site of monasticism to this day.

In the year 2002, St. Catherine Monastery became a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the importance of its history and religion. The church was built to last and is one of the surviving and most visited Christian sites in the history of Christianity.

Discover the Wonders of Saint Catherine’s Monastery

Containment of such elements as piety, history, and art, the monument is complicated by its own monastery complex. You will step into different timelines as you walk through the gates, back to the time when civil life and spiritual life were deeply intertwined with nature. The monastery is a settlement itself constructed inside an enclosure meant to protect the stone walls southwestern of the enclosure from any outside interference by the monks that lived within such rigid confines, or any unruly hordes roaming from the deserts. As part of Egypt tours, visiting this landmark also makes one feel the history and the spiritual aspects of Egypt.

Church of Saint Catherine

Centrally located is the Church of Saint Catherine, which was constructed in the sixth century in honor of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The church is decorated with beautiful mosaics, one of which is a famous image of the Transfiguration of Christ placed in the apse. Inside the church, visitors will also find the preserved remains of Saint Catherine. These remains, which are believed to have been brought here following her death, are displayed in a silver reliquary.

This church serves an active purpose as a place of worship and the guests might have a chance to participate in liturgies or other services that enhance the overall religious sensation.

The Burning Bush at St. Catherine Monastery

The Burning Bush can be considered as the most important aspect of St. Catherine’s Monastery. As per the legend, this is the bush in which Moses saw God as a bush of flame, which did not burn him and was not consumed inside. Within the main structure of the monastery in a small patch of the courtyard sits a bush which is still thought to be the very same. This collocation of the bush is also very quiet and serene, providing the users with time to think and reflect.

The Monastic Library of the St. Catherine’s Monastery

Apart from its remarkable architecture and history, St. Catherine’s Monastery features one of the world’s ancient and outstanding libraries. The Monastic Library is home to some 3,000 manuscripts and it is an extensive collection of Christian manuscripts in the Greek, Syriac, Arabic, and Hebrew languages. It is also the repository of some of the earliest known copies of the bible reinforcing its appeal to researchers and theologians alike. The archives of the monastery are highly valued to the extreme, as a few of its manuscripts are quite ornate which serve as a window in the early Christian churches in art and culture.

The Icon Museum of St. Catherine’s Monastery

The Icon Museum in St. Catherine’s Monastery houses a unique and rare collection of early Christian Icons which include a number of beautiful icons dating from the 6th to the 15th century. Such icons are incorporated into Orthodox Christian worship and show Christ, saints, and other events that are biblical. The collection illustrates the exquisite religious arts of the period of Byzantinism and the progression in the art of Christian iconography throughout history.

Historical and Spiritual Aspects of St. Catherine's Monastery

St. Catherine's Monastery is not just another place of culture that one can visit; it remains a major pilgrimage site for Christian believers regardless of knowledge and nationality. No wonder that for centuries, the devotees have come to her to restore forces and gain insight into Christianity, paying respect, among others, to the saint Catherine, whose valor inspires many. Set among some of the world’s most beautiful Red Sea sites, the monastery provides a spiritual adventure experience in an awe-captivating landscape of Egypt.

Although for many decades the majority of the monks continued to reside in the monastery, over the years it had come to be more of a fun place to vacation than an active monastery. The monks adhere to a stringent regime of praying working and studying whilst upholding spiritual and cultural traditions that have stood the test of time.

Those who wish to know the unique spiritual atmosphere of St. Catherine's Monastery are advised to do some prayer or meditation. The pristine surroundings together with the presence of mountains and historical background of the region provide an inviting scene for the contemplation of the mind.

St. Catherine's Monastery Hiking and Sightseeing

Mount Sinai, the famous mountain in popular culture, is the reason why the iconic St. Catherine Monastery sits at its feet. The monastery is the first step toward three major hikes, including the ascent to Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. As one of the Sharm El Sheikh day tours for experiencing the best of the best, this journey is all about lasting memories rich in culture and beauty of nature and intrinsic aspects that cannot be physically touched.

The crater at the top has incredible views of the vast desert and mountain ranges around it, and most tourists prefer to climb up there in the dark to enjoy the beautiful view of the sunrise from the peak after. The view of the Sinai desert at dawn when the sun rises with all its orange and golden beauty filling the rough terrains is other-worldly and something that every tourist cherishes the most.

Furthermore, as an added value and benefit for all these visitors who aspire to climb Mount Sini, all of them will be able to enjoy the captivating sights of this area which has walked for centuries to remain peaceful and teeming with ecosystems.

How to Plan a Trip to St. Catherine’s Monastery

Location: St. Catherine’s Monastery is located in the Sinai Peninsula which is over 120 kilometers or 75 miles from Sharm El Sheikh. It is easily reached by car or organized tours and many undertake this journey as part of a Sharm El Sheikh day trip.

Best Time to Go Monastery: The most suitable period for the visit is the cold months of the year, that is from October to April. Summers can get excruciatingly hot, especially in the desert, thus one is better off ‘visiting’ this area in the winter months.

Visiting Hours: There are no limitations, and a person may visit the monastery any time of the day. Nevertheless, it is advisable to come before noon or early morning to avoid the crowds. One can also come after the closing hours to see the Burning Bush and enjoy the calmness of the monastery at night.

The St Catherine's Monastery in Egypt is perhaps the best place to explore the peculiarities of different cultures and religions. This historical site can be regarded as one of the top attractions of Sharm El Sheikh. With its long history, a great impressiveness of the place – not to mention its enormous religious importance – the site is a relaxing as well as and interesting place for the local people, visitors, or simply anybody who wants to relish the experience of Christianity and its culture in the purest form.